Multi-Antenna RFID Reader with Perpendicular Emission Planes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-checkout apparatuses face challenges in efficiently reading commodity information from RFID tags due to variations in tag characteristics, directivity, overlap, and surrounding conditions, leading to incomplete or erroneous readings, and difficulties in adjusting the reading range to balance reading time and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A reading apparatus with a placement section for commodities, featuring a first antenna emitting radio waves and one or more second antennas with perpendicular emitting planes, along with a reflection member to intersect and reflect radio waves, ensuring effective reading of commodity information from RFID tags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the output of the reader is increased to expand the communication range, then the reading range expands, but there is a possibility of erroneously reading information of RFID tags that are not desired to be read
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the communication range control into multiple segments by using multiple antennas with different emitting planes. Each antenna covers a specific directional sector, allowing the system to expand coverage area while maintaining control over which specific tags are read by selecting appropriate antenna combinations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension solution by arranging antennas in different planes (horizontal and vertical). This multi-dimensional antenna arrangement allows coverage expansion in three-dimensional space while maintaining directional control, preventing erroneous readings by exploiting the spatial separation of tag positions.
2Area of stationary object
If shielding plates or radio wave absorbers are used to control the reading range, then the reading range is controlled, but there is a RFID tag that cannot be read and much time is taken in finding a RFID tag that cannot be read
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using passive shielding plates or absorbers that block radio waves, the invention uses active antenna elements as intermediaries. By strategically placing antennas in different planes, the system creates overlapping coverage zones that ensure all tags within the intended range are readable, eliminating blind spots without requiring physical barriers.
3Reliability
If the communication range is reduced by narrowing the output and reading commodities one by one, then the reading accuracy is improved, but the reading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reading process by using multiple antennas that can be activated simultaneously or in combination. This allows parallel reading of multiple tags across different spatial zones, maintaining high reading accuracy through selective antenna activation while achieving collective reading speed through concurrent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-antenna system enables continuous coverage of the entire placement section by having overlapping emission patterns from different antennas. This ensures that as commodities are placed or moved, reading coverage remains continuous and complete without requiring sequential scanning, thereby maintaining both accuracy and speed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for efficient and accurate collective reading of RFID tags, improving reading time and accuracy while minimizing the risk of erroneous readings, and enabling a more effective communication range without the need for extensive adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna configured to emit radio waves in a direction facing the placement section
Implementation Method 2
one or more second antennas arranged below the first antenna in such a manner that a direction of an emitting plane from which radio waves are emitted, the direction of the emitting plane being perpendicular to the emitting plane, is different from that of the emitting plane of the first antenna
Implementation Method 3
a reflection member configured to reflect radio waves emitted from the one or more second antennas
Data Source
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AI summary
A reading apparatus for reading commodity information relating to a commodity from a RFID tag attached to the commodity includes a placement section, a first antenna, one or more second antennas, a reflection member, and a reading controller. The placement section is configured to support the commodity. The first antenna is configured to emit radio waves in a direction facing the placement section. The one or more second antennas are arranged below the first antenna in such a manner that a direction of an emitting plane from which radio waves are emitted is different from that of the emitting plane of the first antenna 15. The reflecting member is configured to reflect radio waves emitted from the one or more second antennas. A reading controller is configured to read the commodity information from the RFID tag of each commodity placed on the placement section with at least one of the first antenna or the one or more second antennas.